The Imitation of Christ is a Christian devotional book. It was first composed in Latin. It is a handbook for spiritual life arising from the Devotio Moderna movement, where Kempis was a member. The Imitation of Christ has inspired conversion and stimulated religious devotion for more than five hundred years. With great personal conviction, the medieval monk Thomas à Kempis demonstrates the individual's reliance on God and on the words of Christ, and the futility of life without faith. The Imitation is perhaps the most widely read devotional work next to the Bible, and is regarded as a devotional and religious classic.The text is divided into four books, which provide detailed spiritual instructions: "Helpful Counsels of the Spiritual Life", "Directives for the Interior Life", "On Interior Consolation" and "On the Blessed Sacrament". The book places a high level of emphasis on the devotion to the Eucharist as key element of spiritual life.Apart from the Bible, no book had been translated into more languages than the Imitation of Christ at the time.